Separation Agreements & Strategy Sessions

Separation Lawyer Victoria

Integrity is the word best used to describe Michelle. Intelligence and compassion inform her approach to law and her clients. She will offer up practical solutions and will not advocate for an approach that will not meet a cost/benefit test. She has good judgement and good work ethic. I am so grateful for her guidance through a complicated time in my life. I would, without hesitation, recommend Michelle to anyone seeking clarity with their legal matter.

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Empowering You to Resolve Your Separation Cooperatively

Sometimes you just need advice so you can negotiate your own agreements. Maybe you and your partner know what you want but need a Separation Agreement that reflects your decisions. Or you may need Independent Legal Advice on an agreement your partner has provided you. As a Separation Lawyer Victoria, Michelle can help.

Michelle empowers those separating to help themselves through legal advice and coaching. As a Separation Lawyer Victoria, she helps you understand your rights and responsibilities under the law and coaches you through your options so you can advocate for yourself. Michelle takes a creative, practical, and resolution-oriented approach to resolving matters arising from the un-coupling process.

Michelle offers Strategy Sessions to individuals to help them understand their rights, responsibilities, options and processes available.

Where you and your partner have agreed to your terms of separation, Michelle can draft you a Separation Agreement. As Separation Agreement is binding like a court order. It is important to have a lawyer write and review these Agreements to ensure that the Agreement is fair under the law, can be upheld under the law, and that all parties understand the terms and consequences. ** For uncontested separations only**.

If your spouse provided you with a Separation Agreement, or you came an agreement in mediation with another mediator, Michelle can provide you Independent Legal Advice on that agreement prior to signing. Independent Legal Advice is a critical component of ensuring that all parties understand what they are agreeing to and will be bound by. **Agreement must have been drafted by a lawyer**.

Michelle will coach you so you can navigate your separation confidently. She does not represent clients in their separation negotiations or in court—her role as a Separation Lawyer Victoria is to empower you to handle your process effectively and respectfully.

Services ~ Separation

As a Separation Lawyer Victoria, Michelle is doing family law differently. She provides people with the legal assistance and knowledge they need to resolve their family law issues on their own — in an informed, efficient, and cost-effective way. Michelle will not represent you or negotiate on your behalf in your family law matter or in court; instead, she helps you help yourself.

Michelle provides the following services and packages at a flat rate. The flat rate provided on the SERVICES & PRICING page includes all fees and disbursements unless otherwise stated or agreed.

NOTE: The flat rate for services or packages are subject to change without notice and the fees as set out on this webpage on the date that you select the service is the price that you will pay for that specific service or package, and with the tasks or limitations as set out herein. All prices are in Canadian Dollars (CND$). Taxes are not included.

Legal Advice

Strategy Session:
- 1.5 hour legal advice session for those separating. A legal planning and strategy session to help you determine your rights, responsibilities and possible options.

Follow Up Meeting:
- You have previously met with me . Book a 30 minute or 1 hour session.

Independent Legal Advice (ILA) on a Separation Agreement:
- Your partner or spouse has provided you with a Separation Agreement. Independent Legal Advice is critical for you to understand how the Agreement may affect your legal rights and responsibilities before you sign.
  - Included in this package: I will review the agreement before our meeting; we will meet for approximately 75 minutes; if you are ready to sign, I will witness your signature and provide a Certificate of Independent Legal Advice (if requested); and if you are not ready to sign, I will provide you (informal) email notes.

- ILA Add-On:
  - Formal letter setting out suggested changes: You received ILA and changes are needed to your Agreement before you sign. I will provide you with a formal letter/ written summary setting out suggested changes that can be provided to your partner.

Separation Agreement Package

These packages are for uncontested separations only– this process is not suitable if you are in dispute with your partner. If you need advice on your rights, responsibilities and options, please book a Strategy Session.

If you and your partner have a good idea about what you want, are able to communicate well, and you both have a general knowledge of your rights and responsibilities, I can draft a legal Separation Agreement for you, reflecting the terms of your agreement.

Separation Agreement for Property and Spousal Support (no children): This package is for those who do not have children together and do have property and / or there are spousal support issues.

Parenting Plan (no significant property): This package is for those who have children together and need a parenting and child support agreement but do NOT have significant property or spousal support disagreement, or wish to address them separately.

The Whole Gamut – Parenting, Support, Property: This package is for those who have multiple issues, including parenting, property and child and/or spousal support.

Revisions to a Separation Agreement: Once your partner reviews the agreement, revisions may be needed. The fee is per set of revisions.

The fees for these packages include a meeting between you and I before drafting starts to assess your rights and responsibilities under the law against the options for resolution; the drafting of the agreement based on your instructions; email correspondences as needed; a further meeting to walk through the draft agreement to tweak it with you for the final draft, and sign off.

The fees do NOT include correspondence or negotiation with your partner or their lawyer, further revisions, or in-depth legal advice on your rights and options (if you need this, book a Strategy Session first).

For general legal information about separation and family law in British Columbia, you can visit the BC Family Law Act website.

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As a Separation Lawyer Victoria, Michelle provides clear, practical guidance to help you move forward with confidence. Get the legal support you need to navigate your separation smoothly.

Get Started with Michelle Kinney Law